Hi I'm Holly
I'm an abstract expressionist eco-painter from Aotearoa, New Zealand, exploring the energy and emotions of the mind and body through the language of nature. Using sustainably sourced, non-toxic earth pigments, I create sensorial mindscapes that invite you to reconnect with what it means to feel truly free.
For over thirty years, I worked as a designer in New Zealand and Florence, collaborating with many brands such as Citta Design. The work opened my eyes to color, form, and the discipline of craft which I loved. But years later, after a lot of deadlines and tech, and the relentless pace that comes with corporate life—I felt something essential slip away. By my 50s, I was exhausted and I craved its opposite, to work with my hands again with natural materials, a healing antidote to all the tech.
Verdant morning walks through silvery palms opened my mind to another dialogue, to trust the whispers instead. I began again at a slower pace, in a more compassionate and softer way that somehow felt rebellious. This new intuitive path offered freedom and a sense of calm—full of wonder and delight for all the senses.
These paintings are an invitation to pause—to slow down and reconnect with your own inner landscape, to remember what it feels like to be truly present. For anyone navigating their own transformation (gawd, they are hard, but so so worth it) or simply longing for sanctuary from the overwhelm, these works offer a calmness—a space where softness becomes our strength.
Holly x
ART OF US
I am part of a vibrant group of New Zealand-based artists called Art of Us, where we grow both individually and together. We believe in supporting and championing one another, fostering an environment where our diverse artistic practices can thrive.
Our group, comprised of painters and a fibre artist—including Vanessa Narbey, Sará Langdon, Sarah Ritchie, Katie Robinson, and myself—is based in Auckland and Otago. Together, we enjoy sharing our knowledge and experiences as we explore our creative paths.
Read more about our community here.
EXHIBITIONS, AWARDS, STUDY, COLLECTIVES & COMMUNITY
- Nathan Homestead – Suture Collective 2026 Jan - March
- Runner Up - Kumau Arts Awards 2025
- Vic Rd Depot Gallery – ‘Liminal’ Suture Collective group show 2025
- May 2025 - Eco Paint & Pastel workshop at Uxbridge
- NorthArt Gallery – ‘In Between’ Suture Collective group show 2025
- Finalist in the Kumeu Art Awards 2024
- Finalist in the Emerging Artist Award At the Upstairs Gallery 2024
- September - November 2024 – Art Salon exhibition
- August 2024 – Suture Drink & Draw nights at Coco’s Cantina fund raiser for the AK City Mission.
- August 2024 – Make & Paint with Natural Pigments workshops at Corbans Art Estate
- July 2024 – Exhibitor at the Auckland Art Show
- February 2024 – Art of Us group formed
- December 2023 – Suture Collective formed
- November 2023 – Green Reflective, Toipoto Community Group Art Show
- October 2023 – Toipoto Mentoring program & Alumni
